⚡ FLASH NEWS: Novak Djokovic stuns reporters by naming two unlikely contenders he believes will battle for the 2026 World Cup title ⚡IH
Novak Djokovic’s Bold Prediction: Portugal and Mexico to Clash in the 2026 World Cup Final
Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic, fresh off his 101st ATP Tour title at the Hellenic Championship in Athens, has stepped off the court and into football’s spotlight with a daring forecast for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In an interview during the Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix on December 8, 2025, the 38-year-old Serbian legend—known for his unfiltered takes—predicted that Portugal will lift the trophy after defeating Mexico in the final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. “I’m going to be blunt about it: Portugal makes it to the final, and Portugal wins it,” Djokovic declared, adding a cheeky caveat: “I know, that’s why I’m being bold—Spain and France are favorites, but this feels right.” The prediction, shared with Jordanian content creator Mohamed Adnan, has sparked a frenzy on social media, with #DjokovicWorldCup picking up over 150,000 mentions in hours as fans debate the plausibility of this surprise showdown.
Why Portugal and Mexico? Djokovic Breaks It Down
Djokovic, a self-professed football fanatic (he’s attended multiple World Cups and once joked about switching sports), didn’t pull punches on his reasoning:
- Portugal’s Path: “Cristiano Ronaldo’s got that fire—experience, talent, and a chip on the shoulder. They’ve got depth with Bruno Fernandes, Rafael Leão, and that golden generation pushing through. Group K looks navigable with Colombia, Uzbekistan, and a UEFA playoff winner. They’ll grind to the final.” Portugal, drawn in Group K after the December 5 ceremony in Washington, D.C., has never won the World Cup but reached the 2006 semis and 1966 third place—Ronaldo’s quest for a Nations League-style redemption adds intrigue.
- Mexico’s Surprise: “Mexico as hosts? Home advantage is huge—passion, altitude in Mexico City games, and players like Edson Álvarez and Santiago Giménez carrying the flag. Group A with South Africa, South Korea, and a UEFA playoff team? They cruise. Don’t sleep on El Tri.” Mexico, co-hosts with the U.S. and Canada, have reached the quarterfinals seven times but never the semis—Djokovic’s nod to their “fiery spirit” echoes Javier Aguirre’s revamped squad.
Djokovic dismissed perennial favorites like Messi-led Argentina (“Too much pressure post-2022”) and Mbappé’s France (“Injuries will bite”), opting for “underdog energy” in a tournament expanded to 48 teams across 16 groups of three.
The Reaction: Fans, Stars, and Soccer Purists Weigh In
The prediction landed like an unexpected drop shot—equal parts delight and disbelief:
- Fan Frenzy: X lit up with memes pitting Ronaldo vs. Giménez, and polls showing 42% buy-in for the final matchup (Portugal 55% favorites to win it).
- Soccer Icons: Cristiano Ronaldo reposted with a fire emoji (no comment—yet). Mexico’s Henry Martín joked: “Tell Novak to bring his racket—we’ll need the luck!”
- Tennis Ties: Rafael Nadal laughed: “Nole’s bold—Portugal for CR7, Mexico for passion. I’ll watch with popcorn.” Carlos Alcaraz: “Spain snubbed? Ouch—but Mexico’s vibe? I see it.”
This isn’t Djokovic’s first football foray—he backed Serbia’s 2022 run and once predicted Croatia’s semis upset. With the World Cup draw fresh (December 5), his take adds fuel to the hype machine for the North American spectacle.
Why It Matters: Djokovic’s Cross-Sport Cred
Djokovic, a lifelong Red Star Belgrade fan with a collection of Serbia jerseys, brings tennis’s precision to football’s chaos. His 2025—101 titles, Olympic gold—lends weight to the whimsy, reminding us the GOAT’s gaze spans sports.
As groups settle (e.g., Portugal vs. Colombia/Uzbekistan/UEFA playoff; Mexico vs. South Africa/South Korea/UEFA playoff), Djokovic’s duo could spark the tournament’s biggest surprise. Bold? Absolutely. But from 24 Slams to soccer seer, Nole’s never shied from the spotlight.
